[SteveThackery]

Yay!  Success story!

[Gypsyjon]

when my toe rubber fell off I replaced it with about an inch of rubber tubing I got at the hardware store. NF Gear has the toe rubbers as you know, but they are like 7 bucks and they wanted about the same for shipping. My little piece or black rubber hose was fifty cents and stays on well.

[suitcasejefferson]

I got used to a right hand shift on a vintage Triumph, but I doubt I could ever get used to an upside down shifter. I would probably destroy the engine/transmission in short order. Is there a reason for this shift pattern? Never been a road racer, but used to race MX. They had regular shifters.

[AmBraCol]

I got used to a right hand shift on a vintage Triumph, but I doubt I could ever get used to an upside down shifter. I would probably destroy the engine/transmission in short order. Is there a reason for this shift pattern? Never been a road racer, but used to race MX. They had regular shifters.

Since it's "upside down" with the foot peg behind it, the shift pattern becomes 1st - up 2nd-5th down.  When first engaging the gears one would hook one's toe underneath and flip it up.  All subsequent upshifts would then merely require a quick tap down with the toe to move to the next higher gear.  In theory it's faster, and should be slightly faster once the pattern is learned and "burned to memory".  Downshifting, of course, would entail toe under up flips to engage the next lower gear. 

[pmanaz1973]

Is there a reason for this shift pattern?

It is to facilitate better foot/body position while down shifting into corners at speed - that and to keep the toe of your boot from dragging while downshifting in the corners.  It's a road racing thing for sure.  I had that on my CBR back in the day and got used to it fairly quickly.

[SteveThackery]

Since it's "upside down" with the foot peg behind it, the shift pattern becomes 1st - up 2nd-5th down.

For what it's worth, I actually prefer it this way round.  Of course, I've adapted to the normal way, but it just seems more natural to press the lever down to select a higher gear.

[mattsz]

It is to facilitate better foot/body position while down shifting into corners at speed - that and to keep the toe of your boot from dragging while downshifting in the corners.  It's a road racing thing for sure.  I had that on my CBR back in the day and got used to it fairly quickly.

Am I missing something obvious?  Would downshifting using this pattern require you to lift - and have your toe beneath the lever, closer to the ground?

[p144]

Maybe he meant "tapping down" which is actually an upshift in this setup. Yes, there are plenty of times when you find yourself in a longer left hander than the gear is that you entered, thereby requiring to shift. Guys that run standard shift just have to eat it and hold their revs steady until they get the bike upright enough to hook their toe under to upshift.

[pmanaz1973]

Maybe he meant "tapping down" which is actually an upshift in this setup. Yes, there are plenty of times when you find yourself in a longer left hander than the gear is that you entered, thereby requiring to shift. Guys that run standard shift just have to eat it and hold their revs steady until they get the bike upright enough to hook their toe under to upshift.

What he said -    My writing abilities apperatnly decreases when I add hops and grain.

[gremlin]

What he said -    My writing abilities apperatnly decreases when I add hops and grain.

So do my reading abilities !   

[mattsz]

I'm just home from a ride and am overdue for some - thanks for the reminder!

[Timbob]

My c5 is the first bike I have ridden with the heel and toe shifter. After getting used to pushing down and never lifting up I think why have all bikes not got this??
A great solution used extensively in the distant past and so simple.
Fashion I guess..